Keyboard keeps automatically typing on its own [Solved]
- The keyboard is one of the most basic peripherals; for various reasons, it sometimes starts typing automatically.
- This is an unusual issue, so in today’s article, we’ll show you how to fix it properly.
- For more guides on the same topic, take a look at our Keyboard Issues section.
- What's more, in our Laptop&PC Hub you'll find a lot of troubleshooting material on everything there's to know about your computer.
Keyboard issues can get you into a lot of trouble since they can completely restrict your access to the PC.
Some common problems that users encountered are the following:
- Keyboard typing on its own Windows 10, without your intervention – Many users reported that their keyboard keeps typing random letters on its own. To fix this, just run the keyboard troubleshooter and the problem should be resolved.
- Keyboard double typing Windows 10– Sometimes your keyboard can repeat letters. If this happens, be sure to update your drivers or reinstall them.
- Laptop keyboard typing by itself or suddenly typing slash (/) – This problem can occur due to hardware issues, but you might be able to avoid the issue by using an external keyboard.
- Keyboardtyping randomly – This issue can occur for various reasons, but you should be able to fix the problem with one of our solutions.
What can I do if my keyboard is automatically typing?
1. Run the keyboard troubleshooter
- Open the Settings app and navigate to the Update & Security section. You can open the Settings app quickly by using Windows Key + I shortcut.
- Select Troubleshoot from the menu on the left. In the right pane, select Keyboard and click Run the troubleshooter button.
- Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the troubleshooting process.
Once the troubleshooting process is finished, check if the problem is still there. According to users, the problem might be a temporary software glitch, and running the troubleshooter should fix it.
If the Troubleshooter stops before completing the process, check out this guide.
2. Update/Reinstall the keyboard driver
- Go to Start, type Device Manager then double click on the first result.
- Locate the keyboard driver, right-click on it and select Uninstall.
- Reboot your computer without reinstalling the driver. Your computer should reinstall the keyboard driver on its own upon rebooting. You can then launch the Device Manager again.
If this doesn’t happen, you can update your keyboard drivers using Driver Fix. Don’t forget that downloading drivers manually is a process that carries the risk of getting the wrong driver installed, which may lead to serious malfunctions on your PC. Thus, we recommend an alternative tool that will do it for you.
The safer and easier way to update drivers on a Windows computer is by using an automatic tool such as DriverFix.
- Download DriverFix free
- Launch the program
- There is no setup process beforehand since DriverFix is completely portable
- DriverFix will proceed to scan your PC for missing broken or outdated drivers
- Choose which drivers to update or repair
- Wait while DriverFix deals with your drivers
- Restart your PC
DriverFix
Keep your keyboard drivers updated and never worry about typing issues thanks to DriverFix!3. Drain your laptop battery
If you’re having this problem on your laptop, you might be able to fix it simply by draining its battery.
There are various reasons why the keyboard can start automatically typing, but several users reported that they fixed the issue by draining their laptop battery.
To do that, keep your laptop running for a couple of hours until the battery is completely drained. After doing that, remove the battery, and press and hold the Power button for about 30 seconds or more.
By doing so you’ll remove any leftover electricity from the device. Now insert the battery back to your laptop and check if the problem is still there.
Keyboard types numbers instead of letters? See this article to fix the issue in a few easy steps.
4. Try your keyboard on a different PC
Sometimes your keyboard can be typing automatically because one of its keys is stuck. If that’s so, be sure to gently remove that key and check if the problem is resolved.
If the issue doesn’t appear, insert the key back into its slot and check if that helps.
If the issue is still there, connect the keyboard to a different PC and check if it’s working. In case the keyboard works, it’s possible that one of your settings is causing the issue on your PC.
If you’re using a laptop, perhaps you should take it to the repair shop and ask them to check if your keyboard is working properly.
5. Use external keyboard instead of your laptop keyboard
- First, connect your external keyboard to the laptop.
- Then, open Device Manager, locate your keyboard, right-click it and choose Disable from the menu.3. You will get a confirmation dialog box, where you have to click Yes.
Once you disable your built-in keyboard the problem should be resolved. Bear in mind that using an external keyboard is just a workaround, but until you manage to find a permanent solution for the default keyboard.
A virtual keyboard has been of great help for users as a temporary solution. It’s easy to use and allows you to perform all sorts of actions simply by clicking the dedicated button on your screen.
We recommend the universal and fully accessible virtual keyboard from Comfort Software. It has additional advantages compared to the regular keyboard and you can customize the on-screen keyboard look and behavior.
6. Make sure that Sticky Keys aren’t enabled
- Type control panel in the search bar. Now choose Control Panel from the list of results.
- When Control Panel opens, select Ease of Access Center, then Change how your keyboard works.
- Disable all options in Make it easier to type section. Now click Set up Sticky Keys.
- Disable all options and click Apply and OK to save changes.
Once you disable Sticky Keys, check if the problem is resolved.
According to users, if your keyboard is automatically typing, that can be due to Sticky Keys feature. This is an accessibility feature, and while it can be helpful to many users, sometimes it can cause problems, so make sure to disable it.
Sticky Keys won’t turn off in Windows 10? Fix the issue with this simple guide.
7. Install the latest updates
Sometimes keyboard can start automatically typing on Windows 10 due to certain compatibility issues or glitches. Glitches can occur once in a while, and the best way to deal with them is to keep your system up to date.
Windows keeps itself up to date automatically, but sometimes you might miss certain updates. However, you can always check for updates manually by doing the following:
- Open the Settings app and go to Update & Security section.
- Now click Check for updates button.
Windows will check for available updates and try to download them automatically in the background. Once the updates are downloaded, they’ll be installed as soon as you restart your PC.
Once your system is up to date, check if the problem is resolved.
Having trouble updating your Windows? Check out this helpful guide.
Keyboard problems can be quite annoying, and in most cases you can fix those issues by reinstalling the drivers or by checking your keyboard for hardware issues. If those solutions didn’t work, feel free to try any other solution from this article.
For more suggestions or questions, feel free to reach for the comments section below.
FAQ: Read more about keyboard issues
- How to fix keyboard keys typing wrong characters?
Keyboard can sometimes behave erratically due to wrong Language settings or outdated keyboard driver. To fix the problem, try on of the solutions recommended in this guide.
- Why is my keyboard opening programs instead of typing?
It might be a problem caused by a faulty keyboard driver. for a proper solution,see this guide on how to update your device drivers.
- Is there a virus that affects keyboard?
As peripherals, keyboard are not truly affected by viruses. But if your device gets infected, it can for sure affect the behavior of your keyboard. So installing a reliable antivirus software with real-time protection should keep your system safe.
Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in November 2018 and has been revamped and updated in June 2020 for freshness, accuracy, and comprehensiveness.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Keyboard can sometimes behave erratically due to wrong Language settings or outdated keyboard driver. To fix the problem, try on of the solutions recommended in this guide.
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It might be a problem caused by a faulty keyboard driver. for a proper solution,see this guide on how to update your device drivers.
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As peripherals, keyboard are not truly affected by viruses. But if your device gets infected, it can for sure affect the behavior of your keyboard. So installing a reliable antivirus software with real-time protection should keep your system safe.
3 comments
Don’t download PC Repair Tool it is a virus.
Thanks, I was about to actually. Just reading the comments
As the owner of a Logitech K800 keyboard which is now in its third or fourth year, the letter ‘z’ began printing out at first randomly, then continuously while typing or doing an online search. I first tried shaking the keyboard upside down to dislodge anything causing the problem. This worked for a short time but the problem reappeared and got worse. The final solution was to carefully pry off the letter ‘z’ key, then using a can of compressed air to blow out any dust and/or debris accumulated under the key.